-Episode 12: The Fate of the Insurgency-
As dusk approaches, the distant, snow-capped mountains turn into a cool shade of violet, blending with the cloudy, orange sky. The sun rays peeking over the hills shine on one skyscraper in Alderaan's capital. Through tall window panes, the light rays illuminate the Organa's royal chamber. Despite its old age, the chamber was humble compared to other world royalty. Six white marble columns held up the ceiling, containing a beautiful work of art depicting Alderaan's past, with royal blue carpet and stone flooring leading to a simple throne.
Behind the throne is a pair of white trunk trees with blue leaves, forming a gateway to a large white balcony overlooking the city. This is where F sat, conversing with Bail and Breha as the couple sat together on a marble bench protruding from the curved rail. F shares her journey with the Senator, from her cold, dangerous nights on Coruscant and Aradia to her involvement with the people of Ragoon VI before finishing her last adventures nearing Alderaan, where old friends saved her.
"...I woke up two days before you arrived," F says, "and after a long talk with Queen Breha, she allowed me to join your intelligence network. I've been meditating since, seeking guidance from the Force to find some solution to your current predicament."
"Like what happened on Ragoon?" Breha asks.
"Correct," F nods, "but it has been challenging to replicate." F then returns her gaze to Bail, watching his expression throughout her retelling switch between intrigue and surprise. Now, his face rests on astonishment while contemplating F's character, experience, and capabilities.
"Bail? You're usually not this silent," Breha inquires.
Bail gives a reassuring smile, "forgive me, dear. I suppose I'm still taken aback at being in the company of a Jedi, especially one who's trekked so far and endured so much to be here." Bail then straightens up and says, "F, in all my years as a senator, I've encountered only a few with such resolve in their heart. I suppose that's the Jedi for you, maintaining balance and hope even in the darkest times."
F tenses her shoulders, wanting to believe his words about her were true. She bows respectfully, "your kind words are appreciated, Senator."
Bail speaks cordially, "please, just Bail. Though, I understand your tense state after everything."
"You're right," F says, trying to relax her body but can't help but clench her hakama. "Even on Alderaan, I can't stop thinking about the empire and its heinous actions against innocents…and the Jedi."
Bail's gaze turns somber, "witnessing what has happened at your people's Temple. I feared I'd just bore witness to the end of an ancient, beautiful culture. It eases my heart to know the light of the Jedi is still alive and now is sitting in front of me."
"I wish I possessed such confidence as you do. For me, the prospect that the future of the Jedi lies solely on my shoulders feels terrifying," F admits while tightening her grip.
"I didn't mean to imply you should carry such a weight alone. There are others now to help you in that," Bail tries to assure. "I don't mean to give you any false hope, especially after everything you witnessed, but I like to believe the Jedi aren't completely wiped out. You being here, F, only strengthens that belief."
"How can you be hopeful of this belief?" F asks genuinely, "I haven't even sensed one Force-sensitive in my journey." She knows the last part was a lie, but one to protect a potential force-sensitive. F deduced it was this Leia who was the presence felt and that it was best to forget it ever happened, figuring the child would be safer with her parents than anywhere else in the galaxy. What wasn't a lie was her question, one that soon sparked F's curiosity.
F then senses a hesitation in Bail, it was small and quick, but she caught it nonetheless. F proceeds to ask respectfully but with subtle insistence, "Bail, I know you've been a prisoner for several weeks, but did you or your network ever find any surviving Jedi?" She catches Breha glancing at her husband while Bail hides his reaction. "Please…" she quietly pleads, her gaze staring down at her hands.
With a heavy sigh, Bail answers, "I'm sorry, you're the first Jedi to arrive on Alderaan and the only one part of our network."
Her senses convey that there wasn't a single lie in his answer.
Breha affirms his answers, "your device allows you to be up to date with our intelligence, F. If our network heard of other surviving Jedi, you would've been informed by now."
F's gut tells her she's missing something, but it isn't worth getting into an argument. It simply isn't rational, especially with people who mean well. Besides, it's more logical to assume she's all that's left after everything she's seen with her own eyes. This causes F to scoff at herself for even asking. "I see…and don't apologize, I was a fool for expecting another answer," she tells herself.
Not wishing to continue the subject, F tries to focus on current pressing matters before Bail gestures to her. "Please, let me say one last piece on the matter," he requests. F nods, quietly hoping it'd be quick. "I can't begin to imagine the colossal weight you're carrying after everything," he continues, "feeling alone, like almost all the good people died with the war, and the whole galaxy is now collapsing onto you." F's fingers grab onto her braid, a symbol of her as a learner and a Jedi, a piece of herself she's felt tempted to tear off. Indeed, F knows all too well what Bail's saying.
"I won't pretend to know a solution on how to help you in here or here," he says, tapping on his head and heart. "However, what we can offer you is freedom of choice."
"A choice of what?" F inquires.
"A choice for a new life after this battle," Bail reveals. F's eyes widened in surprise, her fingers frozen.
"Bail, are you certain about this?" Breha whispers.
"The padawan's well-being is more important than any future mission," he shares. Breha sighs but nods in understanding, his compassion for others is what she loves about him.
"Of course," Breha says, turning to F, "you're still young, padawan F, and you shouldn't feel forced to carry such a massive burden. Any person who learns how long you fought would tell you that you've done enough."
F was trying to wrap her head around what the couple meant and its possibilities. She flinches when he shares a story. "Look, I have a close friend, not too dissimilar to you," he says, pointing at F, who didn't notice he specifically pointed at her padawan braid. "I saw how the war has sucked away her will to keep fighting, making her turn her back from the pains of the past. I don't judge her for that decision, for wanting the solace of peace is nothing to be ashamed of. Sometimes, to find peace of mind amidst inner turmoil is to look elsewhere than to keep fighting. Eventually, the traumas of war will become too much for anyone to bear…and we'll remain stuck fighting our own wars till we die."
F's mind repeats his last words, feeling a haunting sense behind them of how war and endless conflict destroys people in more ways than one can imagine. Her path as a Jedi began because of war. It's a specter that's haunted her, and could continue doing so till the end of her days. Amidst pondering this cautionary line, F gasps and realizes what Bail is offering, "you're saying that after we deal with this crisis, you'll offer me a place to become a civilian, a normal life?"
"We can find you a place where you can find peace of mind. Whether it'd be through continuing your training or turning a new leaf is up to you," Bail clarifies, "this may not be much, but it's the least we can offer to a Jedi padawan."
'A…a normal life?' F wondered. Such a sentence felt impossible for her until now. Her mind returns to one fateful day when she was still very young, being offered the choice of joining the Jedi Order or finding happiness elsewhere. It was the day she made a sacred promise to her master, one a part of her won't break.
F sighs and shuts her eyes, "I can't ignore what's happening out there, of the growing shadow of the dark side. People are suffering, and the galaxy has depended on the Jedi to defend against these threats. Is it right to stop fulfilling that sacred duty even if it comes at my own cost?"
Bail responds, "And the Empire's tyranny will not be ignored, I promise you. However, perhaps it's time for the people themselves to hold back the darkness. It may take us years of bickering to figure out how but please, allow us to return the favor and be the ones to now protect you and the galaxy."
F didn't have a response to Bail's reasoning because she understood where he was coming from. She believed more in people than politicians or authority. Though it means solving distrust amongst the populace, it's more than possible to repair any bridge and find a common cause. She only wonders where a Jedi's place will be, is it just hiding, and for how long? Where will the Jedi be at the end of it all? F supposes that only the Force could know of their future, and such knowledge was far beyond her reach.
"F," Bail says, drawing F out of her thoughts, "what happens next is entirely up for you to choose. I only wish to show that our lives are not stuck on one road and that you have something the Empire could never truly control: your destiny."
"What do you want, F?" Breha then asks.
The phrase utterly froze F. She stared at her hands as she whispered to herself, "What do I want…?" Her moment of contemplation ends when a royal guard approaches the group.
"Senator, Your majesty," he calls, "your delegation chamber is prepared, and the senators are waiting."
Bail thanks the guard. He smiled hopefully alongside his wife, holding each other's hands while standing up. "Padawan F," he says, "we would very much like it if you were by our side at this meeting."
F snaps out of her thoughts, asking, "Are you sure? Would your allies react well to a Jedi being by your side? The Emperor's propaganda has had a devastating effect on public perception of Jedi."
"I'm afraid I'm not sure. Lot's has changed since we've all met," Bail admits, "but at least stand back and listen. As commander, you need to be up to date on these matters."
F couldn't argue against that and stood up, "very well, please lead the way." As F follows the couple and the guards, she briefly looks at the city. Imagining herself amongst the millions of civilians, wearing everyday clothes, chatting amongst friends about the latest holo-films or the new hot landspeeder to race into the night. It's a kind of life F pondered every so often since making her choice. Perhaps she'd be oblivious to the Sith, the Jedi, or even the Force in this life.
That last possibility causes her entire being to shudder, and soon she tosses away the option entirely. 'I think…I made my choice a long time ago….'
/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/
F follows the Organas down a hallway. Each window they pass shuts close to hide their presence. Reaching the oval-shaped doors, Breha enters a secret passcode that opens the chamber. It was dark, illuminated only by a large round table with a blue holoprojector. Still, F could spot a few figures chatting amongst each other in the room, particularly recognizing one face.
"Captain Katarn?" F whispers.
"Hey!" Patricia whispers back, scooting closer to F as everyone takes their positions. "How'd your talk go?"
"Not what I was expecting, but it was helpful. It's making me think a lot about myself, questioning what I should do now, too." F peeks around the room, "who are the others?" she asks.
"Just the chain of command for Alderaan's entire defense forces," Patrica answers in a very casual way, "and since I'm the only captain leading covert missions, here I am."
"Is Red here?"
"Sorry, this is super top-secret stuff."
F soon sees why as everyone turns to the Senator and Queen as they activate the holoprojectors and begin the session. F steps back and keeps her hood up to shield herself.
Six holograms appear around the table, each a member of Bail's inner circle of allies. Some faces F recognizes seeing during the war while others escape her. The ones F has met before were Senator Mon Mothma of Chandrila, wearing her signature white dress, and young senator Riyo Chu-Chi of Pantora, wearing an ornate gold headdress and red suit. Being that they were members of Senator Amidala's coalition for peace, it's no surprise they showed up. After a moment, F remembers the third senator, Vasp Vaspar of the Taldot Sector, appearing to be around Mon's age. Finally, there was the young Senator Shea Sadashassa of Herdessa, the middle age senator Garm Bel Iblis of Corellia, and the Quarren Senator Christo of Mon Cala.
F admits that it was more allies than she expected, but it was also far less than they had hoped. The delegation of 2,000 was now the delegation of eight.
No truer was this expressed with Bail's sorrowful eyes after looking around the table. "This is it? Are we all that's left?" he asks. F could sense his dismay. "Where's senator Aang and Fang Zar? Nee Alavar? Bana Breemu?"
The delegation was silent, either lowering their heads in gloom or gritting their teeth in bitterness. "Alavar's dead," Mon was the first to speak, shocking the Organas as whispers spread across the room. Mon's eyes were downcast as she sadly said, "sentenced to death a week ago, along with her family, after her son was discovered to be Force-sensitive. Their corpses are currently hanging over Monument Plaza."
"Heartless bastards!" Patricia grunts. F glances at her, sensing how she's barely holding back her anger. It was a protective kind of anger, as if this terrible news meant further danger for someone Patricia treasures.
Senator Garm said, "Fang's gone too," surprising Bail in particular. F senses Fang was a particularly close ally to Bail. "He was released before suddenly being found dead. Killed by a grizzly plasma slash across his chest."
The descriptor of Fang's death surprises F. 'Did the Sith kill him?' she thought, wondering which dark side agent could have assassinated him.
"Aang lost hope," Christo said, "joined the empire's side over a month ago."
Riyo sighs and informs the room, "Breemu's missing. Whether the pressure was too much or she's dead, we don't know." F watches as Riyo eyes the delegation mourning the loss of their allies, dwindling their already small numbers. Riyo has grieved too, but her youthful vigor pushes her to take the lead, "but the loss of our friends will not be in vain, nor should it affect our decision today about the Insurgency and this delegation!"
F smiles at Riyo's words. She remembered the young girl she was at the start of the war, and now she's grown into a resilient woman leader, defying tyranny even in such dangerous times.
"And what have the Insurgents achieved with our aid?" Senator Vasp says, challenging Riyo's words. "They're attacking us and getting us nowhere! Now with our lives and secrecy hanging by a thread, you're saying we shouldn't let these tragedies affect this decision?"
Before Riyo could retort, Shea asked the Organas, "What IS the current state of the Insurgency, Queen Breha?"
"This is the latest report as of a few hours ago," Breha says, activating a hologram that shows the world, Faro. It zooms in on a diagram of the large base, surrounded by fortifications, abandoned colonies homes, and heavy foliage of trees. As green checkmarks pop up across spots highlighting where insurgents are stationed, Breha tells the room, "our advisors report they're currently eighty-six-thousand and three hundred strong, possess roughly forty starfighters and several medium-sized freighters."
F squints her eyes as she takes in the information presented. She notes the terrain of the base, how far the insurgent lines go, and all the potential defensible positions the Insurgents haven't made. Particularly, F notes the freighters and their carrying capacity, recalling the vivid imagery the mysterious entity showed her. While it wasn't much, F sees an opportunity from her experiences with armies, logistics, and coordinating operations. However, the Senators only see disappointment.
"Is that it?" Christo asks, "what about armor, artillery, or cruisers?"
"This isn't even the size of a sector army. How is eighty thousand supposed to defeat a billion?" Vasps questions. "They're poorly trained and under-equipped compared to your average clone. Months of investment, and THIS is what we get?"
"When we agreed to aid the Insurgency just a few months ago, it was barely ten thousand. We got regiments of fighters willing to put their lives on the line," Senator Garm counters, "I'd say that's a victory in its own right."
Mon then inquires, "what is even the current strategy of these insurgents?"
Bail sighs before responding, "given their recent big loss in a mission on Chardaan, communications amongst its leaders broke down. Until something's done to resolve the matter, they're hunkering down in Faro as we speak."
The delegation reacts with frustration and distress to this critical news. Shea then speaks about what some delegates are thinking, "then any progress made is negated by a leadership who can't even go one day without fighting each other,"
"Like we are any better?" Riyo whispers to herself before speaking up, "If they wanted each other dead, they've killed each other already."
"It's that terrorist Saw Gerrea and his partisan's fault, isn't it?" Mon asks, a look of distrust in her pale blue-green eyes.
Garm retorts defensively, "Saw's more level-headed than you give him credit for. If it's anyone's fault, it's those separatist militants like that brash Anto Kreegyr. They're only using us to rebuild the CIS."
"We should've pulled back support the moment those Separatist thugs became a part of the insurgents," Christo speaks up.
"It doesn't matter who's the blame," Bail interjects to try and quell the arguments, "what does matter is the Empire's iron grip tightening on the Insurgency, our worlds, and each of our throats."
F tenses up knowing what Bail will say, expecting everyone not to take it well, but who could blame them? Bail and his wife glance at each in worry before Bail speaks, "I received word that the Empire is open on a plan to invade and occupy our world."
The dead silence in the room is broken as everyone gasps at the news, whispers, and regular chatter echoing across the room. F glances at Patricia, the captain's hand covering her mouth, a deep worry expressed by her eyes. F overhears others in the room and senses they're similarly concerned.
"That's madness!" one older official states.
"What contingency measures do we have against such a powerful military force?" a woman officer whispers.
"Alderaan will NOT be subjugated!" a young officer chants.
One thing F could sense from all of them was defiance. Everyone here will agree to a plan to strike against the Empire. Looking at the delegates, however, F could see the fear and unease in their eyes, as if their whole network was close to falling apart when it's barely begun.
Bail nods, understanding his people's reaction. He raises his hand and signals for silence in the room. "That's not all," he continues, "they're close to being aware of the Insurgency's base on Faro. I suspect that, after the Empire's done with us, it'll only be a matter of time before they'll strike on Faro too."
"Is there anything to prevent this?" Senator Shea asks.
"My husband was offered a deal but refused," Breha answers, "unless a miracle occurs…."
Christo, sympathetic to the news, sighs and informs the others, "Mon Cala's similarly in a dire state. I figured things would get worse during our arrest. I never anticipated this to turn so dire."
"My government has turned loyal to the Empire," Riyo shares, "I have to watch these imperials parade their machines on my streets and trust only my closest friends and allies to even speak on this delegation."
Mon nods, "I think we can all agree that our securities are more at risk than ever. We also need to look at the writing on the wall: the Insurgency is too small, too broken to pose any threat. If we continue our support, it will not only be a waste of valuable resources but could mean the exposure of all our operations. If not by spies, then surely when the Empire invades Faro and finds even more soldiers or supplies."
"What are you saying?" Bail asks.
"What we're all thinking, senator," Vasp says.
Mon turns to her old friend, telling him, "the best course of action now is to cease all network operations entirely until further notice. No more missions in or out anywhere, especially Faro. Let the Insurgents figure things out by themselves."
F sees the shock on Bail's face before Mon finishes her words. Almost half of the delegation is similarly shocked and even appalled. She sensed the room went silent. Each of these commanders risked their soldiers' lives on these missions, with some even losing good men. F herself understood the fear Mon has. The Empire's grip on them can be felt, but F supports her own earlier opinion that these fighters shouldn't be left behind and give one last fight.
"Next, we should divert attention from Alderaan any way we can," Mon continues. "What was this deal offered to you, Bail?"
The question snaps Bail out of his shock, and he swiftly refutes, "No, Mon listen–"
"We're already struggling to hold together what Amidala built for us, Bail. If Alderaan's occupied, or if we're all executed because of some failed army…then Padme's dream will die with her."
"We cannot abandon the Insurgency!" Riyo shouts back. "These are tens of thousands of brave souls, not some pawns to be thrown away! Not to mention we still have hundreds of our operatives, engineers and doctors still on site, are they to be left behind? The moment the Empire finds them, they'll be unprepared and slaughtered. You know this, Mon!"
"People we can easily write out as traitors to the Empire," Shea cuts in.
"How could you say that?" Riyo asks in disgust.
"She's right," Garm says, "either option means good people suffering, even our people."
"Better to lose a pinky than the whole arm," Vasp argues.
"Enough of such cold speech," Mon stops. F could see her disdain for her plan, but one she feels is their only safe option. Mon sighs and turns to Riyo, "you think I haven't considered the collateral damage? Believe me, Riyo, I do NOT offer this proposal lightly, nor will I sleep soundly for many nights. Besides, it's not just my decision. A two-thirds majority must agree."
Even with Mon's words, F saw Riyo's anger remain as she raised her hand, "All those against this, say nay," she said. Quickly, however, his stern expression falls when the other delegates turn their gaze away from her, "you all can't be serious."
Garm looks at Riyo's sad eyes and sighs before raising his hand, "Nay. We can figure something else out."
"Nay," Bail firmly states. He glances at Breha expecting a similar answer but instead sees her turn her eyes away. "Breha?"
"All those in favor?" Mon says, raising her hand. The remaining delegates raise their hands while Breha is silent. F could sense she was considering several factors: their first discussion, the network, her world, and her family.
She sighs and states, "I abstain."
F could sense unease grow across the room, and while Riyo and Garm sighed in relief, the others weren't so happy with the decision.
"This can't wait a minute longer, Breha," Mon argues.
"She made her choice," Riyo argues.
"A choice that could put all of us at risk," Shea retorts.
"Not as much risk you're putting on the Insurgents!" Patrica shouts from the back, causing half of the room to agree vehemently.
"We shouldn't push Breha for a vote," Garm says, "this is a democracy and-"
"So was the republic, and look at what happened," Vasp cuts off, "I propose those who agreed to the plan to move ahead and pull out support."
"This is not what we agreed on!"
F clenches her eyes as the room enters an uproar, sensing the fear, distrust, and anger reverberating around her with the Force. Everyone is arguing and shouting at one another. The Alderaan command split on Mon's plan, Patricia leading the half, arguing they shouldn't, while others agree with their queen and remain hesitant. The delegation talks have completely broken down, arguing back and forth at one another as the Organas remain silent. F peeks open one eye to see Breha fearful of the fate of her world and Bail looking as if he's defeated, staring down as he clenches his fists on the console.
F saw her hope of this group crack before her eyes, fully realizing the unnerving reality around her. What she expected to be a unified coalition fueled by the will to fight back against tyranny was a fractured, loose web of a few individuals fueled mainly by fear, self-interest, and unresolved resentment of old foes. She remembers Bail's words on the balcony with newfound doubt. 'If the people are to be what defends against this new darkness, how could that be achieved if they're only out for themselves? Or left to be sacrificed to save a few?' she wonders with grim eyes.
The fear and gloom growing in the room started to get to F, making her question the point of coming here if it's only the same old politics of the failed Republic. What practical help could she provide if it's led by a group just as fractured as the Insurgency? She could be helping someone instead of wasting her time here among scared politicians.
"Leave them," that voice whispers, " or you'll be another corrupt Jedi serving a failed system. This world is doomed, and so will you if you stay."
F found it hard to deny this thought. Even if she stayed, what could she do? A delegation like this will mostly hold distrust not only to a Jedi but to Bail for protecting one. Should she risk it anyway to help bring some unity to the room?
"We're becoming no better," a whisper is heard, causing F to open her eyes.
"What?" she whispers before suddenly Bail slams down his fist on the console, causing everyone in the room to turn to him in surprise.
"If we vote to throw away people's lives for our benefit, then we're no better than Palpatine!" Bail proclaims, his frustration and pain over everything that's happening pouring out. "I reconcile the reality that we must adapt. If we must go further underground, fine. If we must continue putting on a fake smile in front of the Senate, fine. If we must make compromises…fine. But I refuse to sacrifice anyone!"
F's eyes widened with hope.
"We are supposed to be the voice of our worlds, of our people," he continues, "the people gave us the power we each hold in our hands because they trust us to protect and help them with it. We will fail this delegation if we betray that duty, even in the name of our security. We would betray our people and what our fallen friends would've wanted." He looks into each of their eyes and says resolutely, "we must always think of the people first, including the lives of these Insurgents."
F saw as all eyes stared at Bail, and the room remained silent, and she was one of them. She's often heard tales of Bail's career, but to stand in the same room as he spoke with a righteous voice was a moving, even surprising moment. She's never seen the Senator appear so furious, and perhaps he wasn't comfortable with this feeling either, but it was righteous anger he felt that needed to be used. A kind of anger the Jedi taught was natural and even necessary in times of great injustice. It was one method to quell the uncertainty of those fearful of defending themselves against imposing odds.
F could sense this was a pent-up emotion for the usual kind, soft-spoken man. From seeing the Republic fall to the death of his best friend, F understood how those events affected him in such a short period. She glances up to see his eyes calm down and sighs, surprised that he shouted like that before turning to Mon.
F sees as the Senator crosses her arms, her fingers gripping her white dress.
"Mon, I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-," Bail says, reaching out to his friend.
She shakes her head, her eyes shut. "Bail, I don't want to lose you like we lost Padme," she says in a whisper, "with everything as it is now, it's too dangerous and too late…we have no choice."
'Master, give me strength….'
A hand with a gray, songsteel ring grips the table, changing the hologram to show both Faro's and Alderaan's. The senators turn to see F forward and say, "it's never too late to make a change. We only need to make a choice and do it."
Bail and Breha share a look of worry, but F nods in the assurance that it's alright. The senators turn to F in confusion. "Who is this? Senator Garm asks.
"I'm Commander Asami, padawan learner of the Jedi Order," F announces, using her codename name, and it doesn't take long for the senators to hurl harsh words.
"You're harboring a traitor?!" Christo asks the Organas.
"Asami's not a traitor," Breha quickly and defensively says.
Bail follows, "Yes, that's only an imperial lie by-"
"Has imprisonment made you mad?" Vasp interrupts, "look at what happened to Alavar!"
Shea points at F, "These fanatical hypocrites tried to take the Republic for themselves!"
F grits her teeth and reveals the truth to the whole room in a resolute voice, "we were slaughtered for trying to save what's left of it." Many confused and surprised eyes turn to F. "I know because I was there that night, and so was Bail," she says, glancing at him. "We were betrayed by the grand army, chancellor…and a senate that's been rotting with corruption for decades. Before the war, we were cleaning up the Senate's messes and casual exploitation of land and people for profits. During the war, we gave our lives to defend whole worlds even while becoming the Republic's scapegoats. Now, the Senate will deem a child a threat to galactic security if suspected of being Force-sensitive."
F huffs, catching her breath and easing her trembling hand, trying not to let pure anger get to her. "Palpatine saw these cracks until all he had to do was shatter the Republic all at once…and thus purge the Jedi," she sighs. F looks up at the senators and the room and leaves it up to them to believe her or not. What's important now is not letting this despair fracture them. "I could very well be the last of my kind," she says in a hurt voice, "I wonder why I was spared, but so many better, stronger…or younger Jedi weren't. I wonder how the galaxy could ever be safe again."
She turns to the Organas and says, "then a wise family told me that the light of rebellion lies among the people of the galaxy now. A few scared senators abandoning the Insurgency, a coalition built by the people, will only snuff out that light than save it." F takes a final shaky breath and makes her last statement, "After many nights alone, I now understand my calling: so long I still breathe air into my body, I must keep moving forward and do my part in keeping hope alive."
The room is silent, the Senator's gaze averted from where F stands as uncertainty remains in the air. "Though," F sighs, "I can never fulfill such a duty alone. No one here can unless we all make a choice together."
F hands quiver as the silence persists, fearing the moment she hears the senators leave and the life of thousands are doomed.
"What do you think we should do, Jedi?" Mon quietly asks.
F snaps her head up, eyes wide in shock and relief. She looks to Riyo, Vasp, Garm, Shea, Christo, Breha, and Bail to see them open to listening to her. F felt overwhelmed for a second before gathering her thoughts and answering, "I propose a plan that'll simultaneously remove Alderaan from the Empire's eyes, rescue each of your people and save what's left of the Insurgency."
"Save everyone?" Riyo asks with a bright smile.
"Save as many as we can," F clarifies, but with determined assurance. "It'll also mean all of you cutting off communications for the near future to be safe from further suspicion. Hopefully, by the end, the light of rebellion will burn in each of you and across the galaxy."
"Trying such an endeavor will be dangerous," Garm warns F.
"Not unless we work together and do it," F firmly says.
Each Senator ponders for a moment about the choice, then Mon raises her hand and asks the delegation. "All those in favor?" she asks, worry still present in her voice but so is a sense of trust in the Jedi's pledge. Each delegate raises their hand one by one until it is up to the Organa, and both raise their hands with proud smiles. Mon calms her nerves and proclaims, "then we're moving forward with the operation, and let luck be on our side."
"Hell yeah!" Patricia applauds, and the room uproariously cheers to the motion. F smiles and breathes a big sigh of relief.
'Thank you for giving me strength, Master,' F reflects in her thoughts.
"What's the first step, commander?" Bail asks warmly.
"Yes, how can we keep the rebellion alive across the galaxy?" Riyo asks.
F stands tall and has newfound confidence: "the first step is a bait so valuable to the Empire that it'll do anything to ensure its capture."
"And what could that be?" Garm asks.
F points at her chest, "A Jedi."
/-/-/-/-/-/-/
[Somewhere Deep into Imperial Space]
In a large, dark chamber, a cloaked individual mediates on a wide wooden stage, kneeling before a wall of red fire. She holds an ancient sith Holocron, going through its complex and dangerous test to unlock its secrets. Her gloves tipped with songsteel, metal red claws twitch, causing the glowing Holocron to fall and seal shut. She looks up and whispers, "A disturbance...?" She taps her chin when another cloaked individual enters the room.
He kneels, his scally, grey hands palming the floor as he speaks in a low voice, "My lady, the Imperial high command has received a new lead on a Jedi."
"Is it our prerogative?"
"Negative. We are to remain on standby until further notice. It's likely merely a lost padawan, thus the Inquisitor's mission."
The dark lady taps the Holocron, pondering something. "Those Inquisitors don't know what they're getting themselves into."
"My lady?"
"I sensed a disturbance," she shares, her voice collected and cold, giving off a deadly aura of fear to any in her presence. "My mind won't be eased until I investigate its cause. Connect me with the Inquisitor they're sending, and keep it quiet, be sure to promise her our open position to entice her. She'll be the key to clearing up this hunch I have."
"And that is?"
Her golden irises give a piercing glare to the man, "Go," she commands. The man nods and quietly leaves the room. The dark lady turns to the fire, deviously smiling behind her songsteel mask.
A/N: Oooh seems we got a new plan underway, and the dark side is starting to pick up F's scent! Yeah, so given how the last chapter was my longest yet, and I'm barely halfway done with this little plotline, I decided to split it in half and turn this two-parter into a 3 chapter arc. I hope it helps the pacing and your reading experience, and don't worry; we're truly getting close to the end. After the next episode, we're entering the finale arc of this saga, and I'm pretty excited about it. Also, this is about most of the cameos that will appear in the remaining saga, though given the setting and time, I believe it does make sense and doesn't come off as forced. I hope everyone enjoyed thier Mon's and Riyo's appearances, I love them, and Riyo should make an appearance again. It's literally been years. It has been especially fun to write after seeing Andor, which helps as a reference point for establishing a political tone in this chapter. I'm pretty happy with Bail and F's speech. I feel it stands on its own.
Thank you for reading!